Equipment bag attachment mechanism

ABSTRACT

An equipment bag attachment mechanism detachably secures two equipment bags to each other for easy collective or individual transport. In embodiments, the equipment bags may be selected from among a helmet bag, a boot bag, and a grooming bag. In embodiments, the mechanism includes a first attachment mechanism portion that includes a pair of opposed tongues, one of the tongues having a downwardly extending protrusion, and a second attachment mechanism portion that includes a loop that seats between the opposed tongues and is limited by the protrusion to hold the two mechanism portions together.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application claims benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/285,834, filed Dec. 3, 2021, and incorporates that application by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

There is a need to provide a reliable and secure mechanism for attaching equipment bags to each other. By way of example, equestrian equipment includes, among other things, riding boots, a helmet, grooming equipment, and often a crop. Bags for this type of equipment have taken one of two forms. The bags can be separate, with no convenient and secure attachment mechanism. Alternatively, a single bag may have two compartments, one for boots and/or grooming equipment and one for a helmet.

It would be desirable to provide a configuration in which equipment bags can be connected selectively and securely.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

To address the foregoing and to provide various other features, aspects of the present invention provide an attachment mechanism for selectively attaching equipment bags to each other. In an embodiment, the mechanism is self-guiding. In a further embodiment, the mechanism securely holds the equipment bags together, making it easier to carry a pair of equipment bags when they are attached to each other.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 shows a first attachment mechanism portion according to an embodiment, in exploded view;

FIG. 2A shows a view of the first attachment mechanism portion of FIG. 1 as secured from the inside of an equipment bag, FIG. 2B shows a cross section of the first attachment mechanism portion of FIG. 1 as secured, FIG. 2C shows a side view of the first attachment mechanism portion of FIG. 1 as secured, FIG. 2D shows the plate of FIG. 1 as secured to a bag, FIG. 2E shows a different view of the first attachment mechanism portion of FIG. 2A, FIG. 2F shows a different view of the first attachment mechanism portion of FIG. 2B, and FIG. 2G shows a different view of the first attachment mechanism portion of FIG. 2C;

FIG. 3 shows a second attachment mechanism portion according to an embodiment, in exploded view;

FIG. 4A shows the second attachment mechanism portion of FIG. 3 as secured, FIG. 4B shows a side view of the second attachment mechanism portion of FIG. 3 as secured, and FIG. 4C shows the second attachment mechanism portion of FIG. 3 as secured to an equipment bag;

FIG. 5A shows a view, from the loop side, of the second attachment mechanism portion as attached, and FIG. 5B shows a cross-section of the second attachment mechanism portion as attached;

FIGS. 6A-6C show a first attachment mechanism portion according to another embodiment;

FIGS. 7A and 7B show a second attachment mechanism portion according to another embodiment;

FIG. 8A shows a separated helmet bag and a boot bag, FIG. 8B shows the helmet bag and boot bag as attached, and FIG. 8C shows a front view of the helmet bag and boot bag as attached.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 shows an exploded view of a first attachment mechanism portion 100. Fasteners 110 attach a first plate 120 to a second plate 130 through material 150, which may be part of an equipment bag such as, but not limited to, an equestrian boot bag, an equestrian grooming bag, or an equestrian helmet bag, depending on the embodiment. For ease of description, there are references herein to a boot bag as a specific example of equipment bag, that bag may carry other types of equipment, such as grooming equipment.

The first plate 120 has a tongue 122 and a protrusion 124 that extends downwardly from the tongue 122. Opening 125 above the tongue 122 in FIG. 1 , and openings 126, 128 (shown more clearly in FIGS. 2B and 2F) on either side of the tongue 122, are sized to accommodate a loop 225 which is part of second attachment mechanism portion 200, which will be discussed with respect to FIGS. 2A-2D.

The second plate 130 has a tongue 132 which seats against the protrusion 124 when the first attachment mechanism portion 100 is assembled. Opening 135 above the tongue 132 in FIG. 1 , and openings 136, 138 on either side of the tongue 132, also are sized to accommodate the loop 225.

Material 150 has a large opening 155 to accommodate the tongue and loop portions of the overall first attachment mechanism portion 100.

FIG. 2A shows an underside of the first attachment mechanism portion 100 as assembled, with material 150 extending away in all directions. The protrusion 124 can barely be seen extending from beveled edges of tongue 132. FIG. 2A also shows sloped edges 127 extending around the openings 125, 126, and 128. The sloped edges 127 will assist in fitting the loop 225 between tongues 122, 132. The seating of tongue 132 against the protrusion 124 will help to hold the above-mentioned loop 225 in place.

FIG. 2B shows a cross-section of an assembled first attachment mechanism portion 100, with fasteners 110 extending through first plate 120 into second plate 130 through material 150. This cross-sectional view also shows protrusion 124 seated against tongue 132. This view also shows opening 125 in first plate 120 and opening 135 in second plate 130.

FIG. 2C shows a side view of an assembled first attachment mechanism portion 100. This view shows fasteners 110 extending through first plate 120 into second plate 130 through material 150. This view does not show protrusion 124 seated against tongue 132. This view also does not show opening 125 in first plate 120 and opening 135 in second plate 130.

FIG. 2D shows an assembled first attachment mechanism portion 100 attached to a helmet bag 170 according to an embodiment, though the first attachment mechanism portion 100 could be attached to a boot bag in a different embodiment. What matters is that the first attachment mechanism portion 100 is seated on an equipment bag so as to oppose a second attachment mechanism portion to be described, and so as to enable easy attachment to and detachment from the second attachment mechanism portion. The helmet bag 170 is provided by way of non-limiting example. The bag 170 may carry other types of equipment as desired, including different types of equestrian equipment.

FIG. 2E shows a different view of FIG. 2A, with the sloped edges 127 in plate 120 shown in outline, making it easier to see the spaces 125, 135, 126, 136, and 128, 138 in the respective plates 120, 130.

FIG. 2F shows a cross-section of an assembled first attachment mechanism portion 100, similarly to FIG. 2B, but without material 150. FIG. 2G shows a side view of an assembled first attachment mechanism portion 100, similarly to FIG. 2C, but without material 150.

In an embodiment, the first plate 120 and second plate 130 need not be made of the same material. In another embodiment, material 150 may have stiffening material 160 (FIG. 2D) provided in some fashion in the vicinity of the first and second plates, to facilitate a more positive engagement of the first attachment mechanism portion with a second attachment mechanism portion, to be described. Alternatively, the material 150 itself may be sufficiently stiff in the area including the first attachment mechanism portion to facilitate the more positive engagement.

FIG. 3 shows an exploded view of a second attachment mechanism portion 200, comprising a first plate 220 and a second plate 230 on opposite sides of material 250. Fasteners 210 attach the first plate 220 and the second plate 230 to each other through material 250. Flanges 227 in first plate 220 contain holes through which fasteners 210 may pass.

FIG. 4A shows a more detailed top view of first plate 220 with fasteners 210 securing first plate 220 to second plate 230 (not shown) through material 250. Flanges 227 in first plate 220 contain holes through which fasteners 210 may pass. FIG. 4B shows a side view of second attachment mechanism portion 200 as assembled, with first plate 220 on a top of material 250, and loop 225, and second plate 230 opposing first plate 220 on an opposite side of material 250.

FIG. 4C shows first plate 220 with loop 225 as part of second attachment mechanism portion 200 secured to a boot bag 270 according to an embodiment, though the second attachment mechanism portion 200 could be attached to a helmet bag in a different embodiment. The boot bag 270 is provided by way of non-limiting example. The bag 270 may carry other types of equipment as desired, including different types of equestrian equipment such as grooming equipment. What matters is that the second attachment mechanism portion 200 is seated on an equipment bag so as to oppose the first attachment mechanism portion 100, and so as to enable easy attachment to and detachment from the first attachment mechanism portion 100.

In an embodiment, the first plate 220 and second plate 230 need not be made of the same material. In another embodiment, material 250 may have stiffening material 260 (FIG. 4C) provided in some fashion in the vicinity of the first and second plates, to facilitate a more positive engagement of the first attachment mechanism portion with a second attachment mechanism portion, to be described. Alternatively, the material 250 itself may be sufficiently stiff in the area including the second attachment mechanism portion to facilitate the more positive engagement.

FIG. 5A shows a back view of an assembled second attachment mechanism portion 200 with second plate 230 secured to material 250. FIG. 5B is a cross section of FIG. 5A, showing first attachment mechanism portion 100 and second attachment mechanism portion 200 connected to each other to form the overall attachment mechanism 300. Loop 225 in second plate 220 is visible under tongue 132 in second plate 130. Protrusion 124 extending from tongue 122 in first plate 120 is visible, holding the loop 225 in place. Openings 125, 135, through which the loop 225 slides to engage with tongues 122, 132, also are visible.

In an embodiment, loop 225 is sized with respect to openings 125 and 135 that a length of openings 125, 135 is sufficiently similar to a width of loop 225, and a width of openings 125, 135 is sufficiently similar to a length of loop 225, that the loop is practically self-guided toward tongues 122, 132, as ordinarily skilled artisans will appreciate. In this manner, there is less fumbling to find the right opening into which to insert loop 225.

FIG. 6A shows a first attachment mechanism portion 100′ according to an embodiment, in which the first and second plates 120′, 130′ are attached to each other, and the second plate 130′ is attached to material 150. FIG. 6A shows the tongues 122′, 132′ as well as openings 125′, 135′; 126′, 136′; and 128′, 138′.

FIG. 6B is a view of the first attachment mechanism 100′ along the cross-sectional line A-A of FIG. 6A. FIG. 6B shows first plate 120′ attached to material 150′, and second plate 130′ attached to first plate 120′. Protrusion 124′ extends from tongue 122′ and contacts tongue 132′. Openings 125′, 135′ also are visible.

FIG. 6C is a view of the first attachment mechanism portion 100′ along the cross-sectional line B-B of FIG. 6A. As in FIG. 6B, first plate 120′ is attached to material 150, and second plate 130′ is attached to first plate 120′. In FIG. 6C, tongue 132′ of second plate 130′ is visible.

While FIGS. 6A-6C show first plate 120′ attached to material 150, in an embodiment second plate 130′ may be attached to material 150.

In an embodiment, similarly to the foregoing discussion of FIGS. 2A-2E, the first plate 120′ and second plate 130′ need not be made of the same material. In another embodiment, material 150 may have stiffening material 160 (FIG. 6A) provided in some fashion in the vicinity of the first and second plates, to facilitate a more positive engagement of the first attachment mechanism portion with a second attachment mechanism portion, to be described. Alternatively, the material 150 itself may be sufficiently stiff to facilitate the more positive engagement.

FIG. 7A shows second attachment mechanism portion 200′ according to an embodiment. Second attachment mechanism portion 200′ comprised solely of first plate 220′ with flanges 227′ through which first plate 220′ may be attached to material 250 through a suitable fastener (not shown). There is no further plate on an opposite side of material 250.

FIG. 7B shows a side view of the second attachment mechanism portion 200′ of FIG. 7A, with loop 225′ and flanges 227′ through which first plate 220′ may be attached to material 250 through a suitable fastener (not shown).

In an embodiment, similarly to the foregoing discussion of FIG. 3 , the first plate 220′ and second plate 230′ need not be made of the same material. In another embodiment, material 250 may have stiffening material 260 (FIG. 7A) provided in some fashion in the vicinity of the first and second plates, to facilitate a more positive engagement of the first attachment mechanism portion with a second attachment mechanism portion, to be described. Alternatively, the material 250 itself may be sufficiently stiff to facilitate the more positive engagement.

FIG. 8A shows the helmet bag 170 and boot bag 270 with their respective attachment mechanism portions 100, 200 facing each other. This view shows the juxtaposition between the attachment mechanism portions. FIG. 8B shows the helmet bag 170 and boot bag 270 attached to each other. FIG. 8C shows a front view of the helmet bag 170 and boot bag 270 as attached. The contour and appearance of the attached bags is similar to the contour and appearance of unitary equipment bags that hold both a helmet and boots and possibly grooming equipment.

The various plates of the first and second attachment mechanism portions 100, 200 may be made of various materials. A non-limiting list of materials may include materials selected from the group consisting of metal, brass, plated metal, plastic, fiber reinforced plastic, fiber reinforced polymer, fiberglass reinforced nylon, or plastic coated carbon fiber. The plates may be made by stamping, casting, 3-D printing, or other suitable process. As noted above, the first and second plate of each mechanism portion need not be made of the same material. Aesthetics may play a role in selection of these materials. The materials selected should be sufficiently sturdy to attach securely to the material of the bag to which the mechanism portion is to be secured. The materials selected also should be sufficiently sturdy to enable secure attachment of the first and second attachment mechanism portions 100, 200 to each other.

Materials 150 and 250 for the first and second equipment bags, respectively, need not be the same, though as a matter of aesthetics they can be the same. The materials should be sufficiently rigid, at least in the vicinity of the first and second attachment mechanism portions, to enable sturdy attachment of the first and second attachment mechanism portions 100, 100′, 200, 200′ to their respective bags, and to enable repeated attachment and detachment of those first and second attachment mechanism portions without ripping either portion from either bag. In an embodiment, the material in each bag should be sufficient for each of the helmet bag 170 and the boot bag 270 to be free-standing when empty. Non-limiting exemplary materials may include real leather of various kinds, faux leather, canvas, sturdy plastic, carbon fiber, and the like.

Various types of fasteners 110, 110′, 210, 210′ can attach the respective first and second plates 120, 120′, 130, 130′ and third and fourth plates 220, 220′, 230 to each other and to their respective materials 150, 250. Fasteners that facilitate registry of the respective plates in the two attachment mechanism portions may be suitable. Non-limiting exemplary fasteners may include rivets, screws, bolts, fasteners that attach by crimping at one end after insertion, a plurality of barbs extending from either the second plate or the third plate and attaching to the first or the second material, or adhesives. In an embodiment, ultrasonic welding may be employed to secure the appropriate plate(s) to the respective material(s). The screws or bolts would have accompanying nuts (not shown). Materials for the fasteners may include brass, steel, other kinds of metal including plated metal, plastic, nylon, or other material that is sufficiently strong to ensure secure attachment. Adhesives of various kinds, such as glue or epoxies, also can be used, but perhaps at the expense of easy registry between the respective plates of each mechanism in an embodiment. In a further embodiment, adhesives could secure the appropriate plate(s) to the respective material(s).

Ordinarily skilled artisans will appreciate that, while in an embodiment the loop part of the mechanism is shown as attached to a boot bag and the plate part of the mechanism is shown as attached to a helmet bag, according to other embodiments either part of the mechanism could be attached to either bag.

Ordinarily skilled artisans also will appreciate that, while much of the foregoing discussion has used equestrian helmet bags and equestrian boot bags for context, the inventive equipment bag attachment mechanism is applicable to other areas in which attachment and detachment of bags holding different pieces of equipment is desired. Earlier in this description, grooming equipment was provided by way of a non-limiting example.

Aspects and embodiments of the present invention include, but are not limited to, the following:

-   CLAUSE 1. An equipment bag attachment mechanism comprising:     -   a first attachment mechanism portion attached to a first         equipment bag and having at least a portion made of a first         material, the first attachment mechanism portion comprising a         first plate and a second plate;     -   a second attachment mechanism portion attached to a second         equipment bag having at least a portion made of a second         material, the second attachment mechanism portion comprising a         loop which is sized to seat between the first and second plates         of the first attachment mechanism portion when the first and         second attachment mechanism portions are mated with each other. -   CLAUSE 2. An equipment bag attachment mechanism comprising:     -   a first attachment mechanism portion attached to a first         equipment bag having at least a portion made of a first         material, the first attachment mechanism portion comprising         first and second plates secured to each other through the first         material;     -   a second attachment mechanism portion attached to a second         equipment bag having at least a portion made of a second         material, the second attachment mechanism portion comprising         third and fourth plates secured to each other through the second         material, the fourth plate having a loop which is sized to seat         between the first and second plates when the first and second         attachment mechanism portions are mated with each other. -   CLAUSE 3. The equipment bag attachment mechanism of any preceding     clause, wherein the first plate includes a protrusion that seats     against the second plate to hold the loop between the first and     second plates when the first and second attachment mechanism     portions are mated with each other. -   CLAUSE 4. The equipment bag attachment mechanism of any preceding     clause, wherein the first plate includes a first tongue and the     second plate includes a second tongue, wherein the loop seats     between the first and second tongues when the first and second     attachment mechanism portions are mated with each other. -   CLAUSE 5. The equipment bag attachment mechanism of clause 4,     wherein the first tongue includes a protrusion that seats against     the second tongue to hold the loop between the first and second     tongues when the first and second attachment mechanism portions are     mated with each other. -   CLAUSE 6. The equipment bag attachment mechanism of any preceding     clause, further comprising a first securer to secure the first and     second plates of the first attachment mechanism portion to the first     material. -   CLAUSE 7. The equipment bag attachment mechanism of clause 6,     wherein the first securer secures the first and second plates of the     first attachment mechanism portion to each other through the first     material. -   CLAUSE 8. The equipment bag attachment mechanism of any preceding     clause, the second attachment mechanism portion further comprising a     fourth plate and a second securer to secure the third and fourth     plates of the second attachment mechanism to the second material. -   CLAUSE 9. The equipment bag attachment mechanism of clause 8,     wherein the second securer secures the third and fourth plates of     the second attachment mechanism to each other through the second     material. -   CLAUSE 10. The equipment bag attachment mechanism of any preceding     clause, wherein the first and second securers are selected from the     group consisting of adhesive, glue, epoxy, one or more ultrasonic     welds, or a plurality of barbs extending from either the second     plate or the third plate and attaching to the first or the second     material. -   CLAUSE 11. The equipment bag attachment mechanism of clause 1 or     clause 2, further comprising a first securer to attach the second     plate of the first attachment mechanism portion to the first     material. -   CLAUSE 12. The equipment bag attachment mechanism of clause 1 or     clause 2, further comprising a second securer to attach the third     plate of the second attachment mechanism portion to the second     material. -   CLAUSE 13. The equipment bag attachment mechanism of clause 11 or     clause 12, wherein the first and second securers are selected from     the group consisting of adhesive, glue, epoxy, one or more     ultrasonic welds, or a plurality of barbs extending from either the     second plate or the third plate and attaching to the first or the     second material. -   CLAUSE 14. The equipment bag attachment mechanism of any preceding     clause, wherein the first plate of the first attachment mechanism     portion includes interior sloped edges to guide the loop between the     first and second plates when the first and second attachment     mechanism portions are mated with each other. -   CLAUSE 15. The equipment bag attachment mechanism of any preceding     clause, wherein the first plate of the first attachment mechanism     portion has openings on three sides, the openings being sized to     guide the loop between the first and second plates of the first     attachment mechanism portion as the first and second attachment     mechanism portions are mated with each other. -   CLAUSE 16. The equipment bag attachment mechanism of any preceding     clause, wherein the first and second plates comprise material     selected from the group consisting of metal, brass, plated metal,     plastic, fiber reinforced plastic, fiber reinforced polymer,     fiberglass reinforced nylon, or plastic coated carbon fiber. -   CLAUSE 17. The equipment bag attachment mechanism of any preceding     clause, wherein the first and second plates of the first attachment     mechanism portion comprise the same material. -   CLAUSE 18. The equipment bag attachment mechanism of any preceding     clause, wherein the first and second plates of the first attachment     mechanism portion comprise different material. -   CLAUSE 19. The equipment bag attachment mechanism of any preceding     clause, wherein the third plate comprises material selected from the     group consisting of metal, brass, plated metal, plastic, fiber     reinforced plastic, fiber reinforced polymer, fiberglass reinforced     nylon, or plastic coated carbon fiber. -   CLAUSE 20. The equipment bag attachment mechanism of clause 8 or     clause 9, wherein the fourth plate comprises material selected from     the group consisting of metal, brass, plated metal, plastic, fiber     reinforced plastic, fiber reinforced polymer, fiberglass reinforced     nylon, or plastic coated carbon fiber. -   CLAUSE 21. The equipment bag attachment mechanism of clause 20,     wherein the third and fourth plates comprise the same material. -   CLAUSE 22. The equipment bag attachment mechanism of clause 20,     wherein the third and fourth plates comprise different material. -   CLAUSE 23. The equipment bag attachment mechanism of any preceding     clause, wherein the portion of the first material is sufficiently     rigid to facilitate attachment of the first attachment mechanism     thereto. -   CLAUSE 24. The equipment bag attachment mechanism of any preceding     clause, wherein the portion of the second material is sufficiently     rigid to facilitate attachment of the second attachment mechanism     thereto. -   CLAUSE 25. The equipment bag attachment mechanism of any preceding     clause, wherein the first equipment bag comprises the first     material, and wherein the first material is sufficiently rigid to     facilitate attachment of the first attachment mechanism thereto. -   CLAUSE 26. The equipment bag attachment mechanism of any preceding     clause, wherein the second equipment bag comprises the second     material, and wherein the second material is sufficiently rigid to     facilitate attachment of the second attachment mechanism thereto. -   CLAUSE 27. The equipment bag attachment mechanism of any preceding     clause, wherein the first equipment bag comprises the first     material, and wherein the first material is sufficiently rigid to     enable the first equipment bag to be free-standing when empty. -   CLAUSE 28. The equipment bag attachment mechanism of any preceding     clause, wherein the second equipment bag comprises the second     material, and wherein the second material is sufficiently rigid to     enable the second equipment bag to be free-standing when empty. -   CLAUSE 29. The equipment bag attachment mechanism of any preceding     clause, wherein the first equipment bag is a helmet bag and the     second equipment bag is a boot bag. -   CLAUSE 30. The equipment bag attachment mechanism of any preceding     clause, wherein the first equipment bag is an equestrian helmet bag     and the second equipment bag is an equestrian boot bag. -   CLAUSE 31. The equipment bag attachment mechanism of any preceding     clause, wherein the first equipment bag is a boot bag and the second     equipment bag is a helmet bag. -   CLAUSE 32. The equipment bag attachment mechanism of any preceding     clause, wherein the first equipment bag is an equestrian boot bag     and the second equipment bag is an equestrian helmet bag. -   CLAUSE 33. The equipment bag attachment mechanism of any preceding     clause, wherein the first and second equipment bags carry equestrian     equipment selected from the group consisting of boots, a helmet, and     grooming equipment.

While the invention has been described in detail above with respect to various embodiments, ordinarily skilled artisans will appreciate that numerous variations within the scope and spirit of the invention are possible. Accordingly, the invention should be considered as limited only by the following claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. An equipment bag attachment mechanism comprising: a first attachment mechanism portion attached to a first equipment bag and having at least a portion made of a first material, the first attachment mechanism portion comprising a first plate and a second plate; a second attachment mechanism portion attached to a second equipment bag having at least a portion made of a second material, the second attachment mechanism portion comprising a loop which is sized to seat between the first and second plates of the first attachment mechanism portion when the first and second attachment mechanism portions are mated with each other.
 2. The equipment bag attachment mechanism of claim 1, wherein: the second attachment mechanism portion comprises a third plate and a fourth plate, the fourth plate having the loop.
 3. The equipment bag attachment mechanism of claim 1, wherein the first plate includes a protrusion that seats against the second plate to hold the loop between the first and second plates when the first and second attachment mechanism portions are mated with each other.
 4. The equipment bag attachment mechanism of claim 1, wherein the first plate includes a first tongue and the second plate includes a second tongue, wherein the loop seats between the first and second tongues when the first and second attachment mechanism portions are mated with each other.
 5. The equipment bag attachment mechanism of claim 4, wherein the first tongue includes a protrusion that seats against the second tongue to hold the loop between the first and second tongues when the first and second attachment mechanism portions are mated with each other.
 6. The equipment bag attachment mechanism of claim 2, further comprising a first securer to secure the first and second plates of the first attachment mechanism portion to the first material.
 7. The equipment bag attachment mechanism of claim 6, wherein the first securer secures the first and second plates of the first attachment mechanism portion to each other through the first material.
 8. The equipment bag attachment mechanism of claim 6, further comprising a second securer to secure the third and fourth plates of the second attachment mechanism to the second material.
 9. The equipment bag attachment mechanism of claim 8, wherein the second securer secures the third and fourth plates of the second attachment mechanism to each other through the second material.
 10. The equipment bag attachment mechanism of claim 6, wherein one or more of the first and second securers are selected from the group consisting of adhesive, glue, epoxy, one or more ultrasonic welds, or a plurality of barbs extending from either the second plate or the third plate and attaching to the first or the second material.
 11. The equipment bag attachment mechanism of claim 1, wherein the first plate of the first attachment mechanism portion includes interior sloped edges to guide the loop between the first and second plates when the first and second attachment mechanism portions are mated with each other.
 12. The equipment bag attachment mechanism of claim 1, wherein the first plate of the first attachment mechanism portion has openings on three sides, the openings being sized to guide the loop between the first and second plates of the first attachment mechanism portion as the first and second attachment mechanism portions are mated with each other.
 13. The equipment bag attachment mechanism of claim 1, wherein one or more of the first and second plates comprise material selected from the group consisting of metal, brass, plated metal, plastic, fiber reinforced plastic, fiber reinforced polymer, fiberglass reinforced nylon, or plastic coated carbon fiber.
 14. The equipment bag attachment mechanism of claim 2, wherein one or more of the third and fourth plates comprise material selected from the group consisting of metal, brass, plated metal, plastic, fiber reinforced plastic, fiber reinforced polymer, fiberglass reinforced nylon, or plastic coated carbon fiber.
 15. The equipment bag attachment mechanism of claim 1, wherein the portion of the first material is sufficiently rigid to facilitate attachment of the first attachment mechanism thereto.
 16. The equipment bag attachment mechanism of claim 1, wherein the portion of the second material is sufficiently rigid to facilitate attachment of the second attachment mechanism thereto.
 17. The equipment bag attachment mechanism of claim 1, wherein the first equipment bag comprises the first material, and wherein the first material is sufficiently rigid to facilitate attachment of the first attachment mechanism thereto.
 18. The equipment bag attachment mechanism of claim 1, wherein the second equipment bag comprises the second material, and wherein the second material is sufficiently rigid to facilitate attachment of the second attachment mechanism thereto.
 19. The equipment bag attachment mechanism of claim 1, wherein the first equipment bag comprises the first material, and wherein the first material is sufficiently rigid to enable the first equipment bag to be free-standing when empty.
 20. The equipment bag attachment mechanism of claim 1, wherein the second equipment bag comprises the second material, and wherein the second material is sufficiently rigid to enable the second equipment bag to be free-standing when empty.
 21. The equipment bag attachment mechanism of claim 1, wherein the first and second equipment bags are shaped to carry equestrian equipment selected from the group consisting of boots, a helmet, and grooming equipment.
 22. The equipment bag attachment mechanism of claim 1, wherein one of the first and second equipment bags is an equestrian boot bag and the other of the first and second equipment bags is an equestrian helmet bag. 